Independence baseball player J.P. Sorma a special talent at the plate and beyond

Independence senior J.P. Sorma has registered a .591 batting average this spring, one of the highest figures throughout the region. (Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)

J.P Sorma's goal is that the Blue Devils' baseball season ends at the state final four in Columbus, his future college home. Sorma has signed to play for Ohio State, where he will likely move to third base or left field. (Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Now, of course, the talent is plain to see. Standing at 6-1, 215 pounds, Independence senior shortstop J.P. Sorma looks like a tight end dropped in the middle of the diamond.

He is one of the most accomplished players in Northeast Ohio and has earned the respect of opposing pitchers.

Four years ago, Sorma's ability wasn't quite so obvious. Independence's senior-laden roster kept Sorma on JV most of the season, but he still caught the eye of coach Mark Echstenkamper. He remembers watching Sorma during the team's spring break trip to Vero Beach, Fla., and thinking he had a future star in his program.

"We got to watch some of the JV games," Echstenkamper said. "Just watching him swing the bat, you knew this kid was going to be something special in four years."

Sorma has indeed blossomed into something special. The Ohio State signee sports a .591 batting average (39 of 66), one of the highest marks around the region. A season ago he was named second-team All-Ohio.

Sorma isn't done yet. He and his teammates have their eyes set on Columbus and the state championship.

"That's just an awesome way to go out," Sorma said. "Going down to Ohio State and having a state championship, that'd be really cool."

Independence entered the playoffs Wednesday with a sectional final against Trinity. The Blue Devils entered the postseason with a 19-4 record and ranked in a tie for fourth in the Division III state coaches poll.

The Blue Devils last made the state final four in 2010, Sorma's freshman season. Echstenkamper moved Sorma up to the varsity roster late in the season and used him as a pinch hitter during the tournament. Now, the Blue Devils will be relying on Sorma to help lead them to Columbus.

"The other boys look to him," assistant coach Joe Suvak said. "When you have a player like that on your team, always in the back of your mind you know you have a chance against anyone.

"The kids can rally around that. You're never out of a game when you have a weapon like that."

In the past four years, Sorma has greatly improved in all facets of the game.

Echstenkamper said he is the best hitter he's coached in his 14 years at Independence. Suvak said he has become a steadier, more reliable shortstop.

Sorma's work ethic is part of what excites Ohio State coach Greg Beals. Sorma says playing for the Buckeyes fulfills a lifelong dream, but Beals knows Sorma still has goals he wants to achieve.

"J.P. wanted to be a Buckeye, but I know he wanted to do something special in the game of baseball," Beals said. "Guys with that combination have success."

Beals plans to utilize Sorma's size, power and speed at third base or possibly left field.

"I see J.P. being a major contributor," Beals said. "If that happens in his first year or second year or at third base or in left field, I'm not sure. What we've done is attracted a talented player into the program. I'm excited to have that type of player."

Sorma said he is prepared to put in the necessary work to learn his new position, whatever it is. He's just happy to have the opportunity to play for Ohio State.

"It's just really cool to be a part of Buckeye nation," Sorma said. "The field, the staff, all the players, it's a big family down there so I'm excited."

For now, however, Sorma's focus is all on winning as he and the Blue Devils try to make a run to the state championship.

"We've just got to get the bat on the ball, play good defense and we could go all the way down to states," Sorma said. "Just the little things that matter."

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